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Endeavours Documentary Film Festival returns with diverse line-up

By Anjali RaguramanEvents -
13 May 2014 9:45 AM | Updated 17 May 2014

While feature films provide an escape of sorts for the viewer, documentary films are grounded in reality. Instead of creating a fantasy world, they confront the viewer with 'cinema verite' (truthful cinema).

To celebrate the power of documentary films, the Endeavours Documentary Film Festival (EDFF) returns for its second year. The Arts House plays host to the festival which runs from 14 to 18 May.

PEOPLE'S JOURNEYS AND CHALLENGES THROUGH FILM

Be it grounded in socio-political, economic issues or otherwise, this year’s line up of 10 curated films make up a diverse selection of high quality documentaries from around the world.

“In line with the festival’s theme focusing on stunning films of people and their lives, this year, the films will provide insights into various people’s journeys and challenges as they pursue their dreams and goals," said Richard Clarke, the founder and director of EDFF.

A still from 'Kismet'

The line up includes films such as 'Kismet'. It explores the reach of Turkish soap operas which have been a polarising force in the Middle East and Africa, both inspiring women to become agents of change, as well as eliciting the ire of religious groups.

Arguably one of the biggest draws is the closing film, 'Class of 92', which chronicles the stories of six working class boys growing up in Manchester. The boys went on to become some of the greatest football players in history, namely David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Gary and Phil Neville, Nicky Butt, and Paul Scholes from Manchester United. It covers the seven years from 1992, when five of the group won the FA Youth Cup together and culminates in the Champions League triumph of 1999 that completed their famous Treble.

"With interesting characters driving the films, be it Doris Payne – one of the world’s most infamous jewellery thieves, iconic footballers David Beckham and Ryan Giggs, or Pug – a young teenager living in Baltimore’s dangerous Westside neighbourhood with his terrifying yet at the same time thrilling aspiration to join a motorcycle gang, and many others who took the road less travelled, we believe the growing community of documentary film lovers in Singapore will look forward to this year’s EDFF offerings as much as we do,” Clarke added.

SUPPORTING NEW TALENT

The festival also aims to give documentary filmmakers a dedicated platform to show their work in Asia. Unlike most film festivals in Singapore, EDFF is also a competition festival with four juried awards.

Among the prizes are those identifying the best documentary, short documentary, Asian film and the emerging filmmaker competition, which is open to new filmmakers based in Singapore.

So for human stories and more, don't forget to book tickets to the Endeavours Documentary Film Festival this weekend via bytes.sg.

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